Scramble over the rocks. Walk through cold streams and learn the art of skipping stones. Found a bald eagle. And of course, pack plenty of trail mix to keep everyone going. National parks are playgrounds where family vacation memories are made.
Whether you’re traveling with a preschooler (read them the picture book What If I Were a Park Ranger) or a teenager, these 10 family-friendly national parks will have you covered. Discover together the beauty of nature, including mountain peaks, vast forests, and crystal clear lakes. parks across America. Kid-friendly trails, junior ranger programs, and opportunities to learn about nature and wildlife are sure to keep any child engaged.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier, 60 miles from Seattle, can be seen throughout the region, is 4,410 feet tall, and has approximately 25 glaciers. The best entry point for families is Paradise, just south of the mountain. The 2.9-mile Alta Vista Trail begins at the visitor center area. Even in spring, children can play in the snowy patches, while in late summer the alpine meadows surrounding the mountains show off their spectacular colors.
where to stay
For longer stays, rest at the park’s 121-room Paradise Inn or at a nearby lodge. For day-trippers from Seattle, the 223-room Edgewater in Elliott Bay is within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
The trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its name will linger in your imagination long after your trip.
Photo credit: Blue Traveler/Shutterstock
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Nestled between the winding, spiky namesake tree (like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!) and a pile of granite boulders that beckon to be climbed, Joshua Tree is a family favorite for good reason. Easily accessed from the park’s north (Twentynine Palms) and west (Joshua Tree) entrances, the Hidden Valley Trail is a 1-mile loop perfect for clambering over rocks before settling in for a picnic lunch.
where to stay
Most families choose rental houses (with pools) in the area, but consider modern auto camping. There, a tricked-out Airstream with high-thread count linens and a walk-in rain shower gives you a camp feel without having to do much.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (and North Carolina)
The Smoky gets its name from the organic particles emitted by the plants, which create that famous bluish fog along the mountain peaks. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and head to Clingman’s Dome, an observation tower located within the park. This observation deck offers great views for families (no uphill climb required). The more popular waterfalls (Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Cave Falls) quickly become crowded with tourists. Instead, visit smaller (but equally beautiful) waterfalls like Mouse Creek Falls and Linn Camp Prong Cascade. Children can spend time admiring fallen leaves, splashing in the stream, and looking for salamanders.
where to stay
Nestled in the wilderness beyond Gatlinburg, Stony Brook Cabins’ multi-bedroom mountain homes feature floor-to-ceiling windows, modern kitchens, and wraparound decks.
The Grand Canyon offers views you won’t soon forget.
Photo credit: My Good Images/Shutterstock
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
It’s hard for kids and even adults to wrap their heads around the geological formation cake that is the Grand Canyon. To learn more, book a short, family-friendly tour of the nonprofit Field Institute. Your guide will point out fossils and briefly explain how to collect pinyon pine nuts. Rent a bike from Bright His Angel His Bicycles, located next to the visitor center, and take in this vast natural wonder as you ride along part of the South Rim. Even small children can ride in tandem. (Don’t worry, there’s a stone wall and wide bike path just a few feet from the edge.)
where to stay
Spot the Road Runner hurtling from the porch of the minimalist “tent” at Under Canvas (30 minutes from the South Rim entrance). At night, you can watch the stars while the gang roasts s’mores.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Located along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia is approximately 47,000 acres, the majority of which is located on Mount Desert Island, also known as MDI. It’s a photographer’s dream, where pine forests meet rocky beaches atop lighthouses and granite mountains, including Cadillac Mountain. Families can’t miss the tidal pools in Bar Harbor (the eastern town of MDI). Children can observe hermit crabs, starfish, sea urchins, mussels, and more.
where to stay
Overlooking Sam’s Sound, Claremont dates back to 1884 and debuted a newly renovated dig and pool in 2022. The hotel’s affiliated cottages and cabins, equipped with kitchens, offer flexibility for families.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Wild and scenic, Glacier boasts jagged peaks and turquoise lakes, including the remarkable 16-mile-long Lake McDonald. The 0.9-mile Cedars Trail is a mostly flat boardwalk that’s a great introduction. Or, join Swan Mountain Outfitters on a beginner’s horseback riding adventure from three ranches: Apgar, Lake McDonald, and Many Glacier.
where to stay
Glacier Park Collection by Pursuit, the longtime park concessionaire, operates several lodges in and around the park, in addition to tours such as rafting and fishing. Given Glacier National Park’s vast size, families can start at the 144-room Grouse Mountain Lodge in the town of Whitefish, just outside the park, and then head to Glacier Park on the east side of the park. You’ll want to move to a lodge.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
An easy day trip from Denver, the Rocky Mountains are home to 555 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, and 77 peaks over 12,000 feet above sea level. Classic, family-friendly hikes and drives include Bear Lake (an easy 0.5-mile loop!), Alluvial Fan (rock climbing), and scenic trail Ridge Road (gaining elevation gain in minutes, so you can take to the skies! highways). . And tell everyone to keep an eye out for moose, elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and marmots.
where to stay
The 200-room Limelight Hotel (formerly Kimpton Bourne) has the feel of a modern chalet. Additionally, it has a prime location adjacent to Union Station, Denver’s Beaux-Arts station, built in 1914. The station has been repurposed as a trendy restaurant, bar and shopping complex.
Redwood National and State Parks, California
This series of parks in Northern California (along with Humboldt Sequoia State Park) is home to the largest extant coastal redwood forest, towering 350 feet high. Walk through Founder’s Grove to spot the fallen Dyerbill Giant (17 feet in diameter) and get lost among the ferns and towering trees of the 0.7-mile Rockefeller Loop. Both trails are located within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Don’t miss Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, known for its grazing Roosevelt elk.
where to stay
Although there are many campgrounds and rentals in the area, the Carter House Inn, which consists of several Victorian homes and cottages, is conveniently located in Old Town Eureka, near coffee shops, restaurants, and the beach.
shenandoah national park, virginia
Shenandoah’s tranquil landscape of rocky peaks, wooded hollows, and waterfalls earned John Denver’s top endorsement in Take Me Home, Country Roads, making it the perfect national park for families. There is also. Black Road Summit is his short 1.8-mile hike with stunning valley views. Additionally, Land’s Run Falls features a series of waterfalls descending into a gorge. Skyline Drive, a scenic path through the park, is ablaze with gold, orange, and crimson in the fall.
where to stay
Just 30 minutes from the park, the charming college town of Charlottesville has several hotels and restaurants (not to mention nearby Jefferson’s Monticello). Check out the art-filled Draftsman, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
A trip to a park like Bryce Canyon earns you some serious bragging rights when your kids ask you what you did on vacation.
Photo credit: Silky/Shutterstock
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Synonymous with mystical crimson hoodoos (irregular rock pillars), southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon looks like another planet. There’s a flat, paved half-mile rim trail and several easy hikes, including Mossy Cove and Bristlecone Loop. Ideal for night owls, Blyth’s dark starry skies are legendary. Inquire about our Ranger-led astronomy programs or book through Dark His Ranger Telescope Tours.
where to stay
Take advantage of another glamping opportunity and base your family in Bryce Canyon, a solar-powered under-canvas where safari-style tents are set up among juniper trees.
